Disasters - a growing problem around the world.It's a fact - disasters are on the rise around the world. According to one estimate, the 1990s saw a tripling of disasters and a nine-fold increase in economic costs when compared with the 1960s. Climate change,earthquake,floods,storm increasing concentrations of people in vulnerable areas, and political and economic instability are all contributing factors.
The challenge is - how do we deal with this growing dilemma?

Refresher Training of CERT by FOCUS

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

FOCUS' Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) immediately commenced their search and rescue operation across the snowed-in valleys. (Click on photo for larger image)

Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) implemented an extensive search and rescue operation in Pakistan's north-western province of Chitral following a spate of severe avalanches which hit three villages in March.

The intense rainfall, sleet and snowfall resulted in the loss of many families and livestock and totally or partially destroyed dozens of houses. Despite the severe weather challenges, FOCUS Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), based in Chitral, undertook an intense search and rescue operation to assist those severely affected.

FOCUS distributed community stockpiles whilst medical supplies, kerosene, and food provided by the Pakistan army were distributed to over 1,200 affected people across ten villages in Chitral including Garamchashma and Shagore, as well as in the city centre. Helicopters of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) were critical in facilitating relief operations.

Entire villages in the region were engulfed in snow.(Click on photo for larger image)

At a local press conference, the Chitral Nazim thanked the Pakistan army, Chitral police and FOCUS Pakistan for being the first agency at the scene, and for providing emergency relief through the AKF helicopters.

FOCUS Pakistan's Disaster Assessment Response Team continues to coordinate its relief effort with the District Coordinating Officer, the District Relief Commissioner and Nazims of the region.

Clearing the road in Bartang blocked by rock fall. (Click on photo for larger image)

Assisting families affected by torrential rain in Badakhshan, TajikistanThe harsh weather of March and April continued unabated across the Hindu Khush mountain range also affecting the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) of south-eastern Tajikistan.

FOCUS rushed diesel fuel, mattresses, stoves and coal to three districts in Gorno Badakhshan, after avalanches and mudslides triggered by torrential rains left several dead and destroyed livestock and homes of numerous families. FOCUS has helped resettle these families to safer areas.

In the town of Bartang, FOCUS facilitated the clearing of avalanche-blocked roads through the provision of diesel fuel while in Rushan and in Ishkashim, blankets, mattresses, stoves and coal were distributed to those in need.

Damage to homes caused by heavy rains.(Click on photo for larger image)

Many more families have been affected across the region as a result of complete or partial destruction of their homes. FOCUS has helped resettle these families to safer areas.

FOCUS has also been involved in creating and supporting the reconstruction of affected homes and severely damaged schools and medical facilities.

In collaboration with United Nations agencies, the regional government of Badakhshan and the CoES, FOCUS continues to monitor the situation while developing detailed longer-term recovery plans. Since 1997, FOCUS, as part of its strategic approach to disaster risk reduction, has responded to over 30 natural disasters and deployed over USD 500K of support to affected communities in Tajikistan.

The Search & Rescue Team induction weekend at Deans Forest in Gloucestershire, UK. The teamwas tested for individual participation and teamwork as well as endurance, determination and working in confined places.. (Click on photo for larger image)

Investing in Disaster Response in UKIn Europe, FOCUS is investing in disaster response by establishing an international volunteer disaster search & rescue team trained by the world renowned search and rescue agency, Rescue and Preparedness in Disasters UK (RAPID-UK).

Working towards United Nations certified standards, the eighteen-month intensive training programme will commence in summer 2007. Training will include rescue from land (urban and rural), fire, medical and swift water rescue during various natural and man-made disasters. This FOCUS team will eventually be available to disaster affected communities globally as part of a first phase in response.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Will Beijing's leaders never learn? First, Mattel recalled millions of tainted, Chinese-made toys this week — just the latest scare over Chinese goods that is raising doubts worldwide about doing business with China. Now there are reports that the Chinese government is withholding information on a fast-spreading virus decimating its pig population, much as it tried to cover up the SARS epidemic in 2003.

So far, there are no signs that this virus is a threat to humans, although no one can be sure. What Beijing should have learned in 2003 — and what it urgently needs to grasp now — is that when it comes to public safety, secrecy is never the right policy, and there is no benefit at all in trying to go it alone.

The world is too small — and contagion, like commerce and information, moves too swiftly — to pretend that any one country has the right to try to handle a spreading infection in scientific near secrecy. Chinese officials claim that the disease is an infection called blue-ear pig disease. But that diagnosis has not been confirmed by any outside agencies, and China has not shared tissue samples yet that would allow confirmation.

This is an extremely risky policy. The disease, which may be the result of mutating pathogens, is spreading rapidly. And its effects are more lethal than those usually associated with blue-ear pig disease, a relatively common ailment. The number of pig deaths has not been reliably reported so far, but the epidemic appears to be widespread. Farmers are selling animals in panic, and the disruption to pork supplies is beginning to have broader economic consequences.

The risks reach far beyond China. A similar virus has already been seen in Vietnam and Myanmar. What China needs to do now is tell the truth about what is happening and work with the rest of the world to make sure that this disease does not spread out of control. That is essential for Chinese agriculture. And it's essential for China's reputation as a reliable trading partner and a responsible member of the global community.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

It's so much easier to prevent accidents than to deal with the painful consequences of a chance encounter. However, most motorists spend very little time learning how to drive more safely. Everyone is in such a rush to arrive that we cut corners and take chances. We would like to put a stop to that by providing a list of commonsense safety reminders. Following the tips below — and incorporating them into your driving habits — will greatly increase your chances of safely arriving at your destination.

1. Carefully look both ways — twice — before entering an intersection. It's easy to miss an oncoming car at first glance because it's hidden by your car's windshield frame. A second look only takes a second and it might avoid a serious collision.

2. Don't accelerate into an intersection the instant the light turns green. This is a good way to get rammed by someone running the red light who's coming from the other direction.

3. Look right before pulling out. After waiting for traffic from the left to clear before you make your right-hand turn, don't forget to look to the right again just before you proceed. Pedestrians or cars may have suddenly materialized in your path while you were waiting to turn.

4. Anticipate unexpected changes in traffic. For example, if you're in a fast-moving lane with empty road ahead and the next lane over is backed up, be prepared for impatient motorists to dart into the lane in front of you.

5. Know your blind spots. Find out where your blind spots are when checking the road behind you in your mirrors. You might have to turn to look directly into the lanes beside you to avoid missing something left undetected by your mirrors. This is particularly important when changing lanes — don't just rely on your mirrors.

6. Watch other drivers' blind spots. Practice extra caution when passing large vehicles, such as semi trucks, which have less maneuverability and even larger blind spots. If you can't see a truck's mirrors, chances are its driver can't see you.

7. Watch for children and pets. Pay special attention to posted speed limits around schools and in residential areas; children and pets may unexpectedly dart into the street.

8. Don't tailgate. Leave enough space between yourself and the car ahead of you, when traveling and when stopped. On the highway, this may save you from a fender bender. Remember to leave even more room if the roads are slick. If you stop on a hill behind a car with a manual transmission, the extra room may save you from being rammed if the car slides back. Leaving yourself extra room can also help you make a quick exit if you're approached by a carjacker in a dubious neighborhood.

10. Go back to school. Go to a high-performance driving school to learn accident avoidance maneuvers and how to control skids. Understanding how to make your car do what you want it to do in emergency situations could save your life.